Since the first day, in July, the former prime minister has been involved in several confrontations, including unauthorized exits from the room, unauthorized interventions and accusations against the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Sócrates even compared prosecutors to the Inquisition and has demonstrated a defiant stance, preferring to speak standing up during hearings.
The Marquês operation trial has been marked by a climate of permanent tension between José Sócrates and the judge, tension that set in on the first day.
The interrogation had not yet begun and the court was considering a request from the former prime minister’s defense, when the judge noticed someone was missing in the room. José Sócrates had left without telling anyone. When he returned, he was immediately reprimanded by the judge, this being the first of several ear-pullings.
Sócrates asked to speak, but the judge refused him permission. However, the former prime minister spoke anyway. When he returned to the courtroom for the second session, he promised that he would restrain himself, but he did not.
Since the start of the trial in July, there have been several episodes of confrontation. José Sócrates even accused the Public Ministry of playing politics.
In another session, while the court was analyzing the Lena Group’s list of alleged bribes to Sócrates, the former prime minister reacted vehemently, saying: “You prosecutors look like the Inquisition. They look at me as if I were possessed by the devil.”
Later, during another hearing, there was another tense confrontation between José Sócrates and the prosecutor. In the following session, the former prime minister presented a document that would serve as proof that he did not favor the Lena Group in the TGV tender, generating yet another moment of tension.
Socrates na defiant stance
José Sócrates has demonstrated a clear preference for speaking standing up. He even refused the judge’s suggestion that he sit down during the hearing.
The moments of tension did not only involve the former prime minister, but also Socrates’ now former lawyer. The judge even sent a complaint to the Bar Association after some episodes of conflict in the court.
